ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will begin his two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia on the invitation of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman on Tuesday.
This will be his first foreign trip to any country after assuming charge of the highest political office in the country.
According to an official handout circulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Khan will also be accompanied by the foreign minister, minister for finance and adviser to the prime minister on commerce.
During his stay in Saudi Arabia, he will call on the King and hold a bilateral meeting with the Crown Prince.
King Salman will also host a state banquet for him at the Royal Court.
As members of Khan’s federal cabinet meet their counterparts, Dr. Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), will call on the prime minister.
Khan will also perform Umrah and visit Madinah during his stay in the Kingdom.
After concluding his visit to Saudi Arabia, Khan, along with his delegation, will proceed to the UAE on Sept. 19 to meet with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The two leaders will discuss issues of bilateral interest in their meeting.
Pakistan’s PM arriving in Saudi Arabia Tuesday in first foreign visit
Pakistan’s PM arriving in Saudi Arabia Tuesday in first foreign visit
- King Salman will host a State banquet for Imran Khan at the Royal Court
- The prime minister and his delegation will fly to Abu Dhabi after concluding their visit to the Kingdom on Sept. 19
Saudi hospitality boom sparks innovation beyond the plate
- At the Four Seasons Riyadh, Diageo hosted a private tasting at Tonic Bar followed by a 10-course dinner at Julien
- Dinner at Julien paired dishes with drinks made using Tanqueray 0.0, Captain Morgan 0.0, and Guinness 0.0
RIYADH: As restaurants and hotels in Saudi Arabia refine their culinary identities, beverages are increasingly being treated as crafted experiences in their own right, shaped by technique and intention.
At the Four Seasons Riyadh, Diageo hosted a private tasting at Tonic Bar followed by a 10-course dinner at Julien, offering a snapshot of how this evolution is beginning to take shape, as international players and local venues test new approaches to pairing and presentation.
Speaking to Arab News, Nick Rees, marketing director of Diageo MENA, pointed to the rapid growth of the nonalcoholic segment globally and in the region: “There’s a far faster growing percentage of it (the industry) is non-alcohol … There (are) trends globally … A lot of it will be pointed to wellness, mindful drinking.”
Rees said that Saudi Arabia’s fast-developing culinary and hospitality scene calls for beverages that match the level of excellence seen in kitchens across the Kingdom.
“It’s kind of the lack of choices and that’s where we want to be able to provide people the option, and people here absolutely have the same kind of talent and desire as their counterparts behind the kitchen,” he said.
“That’s where our role is to give people the kind of core ingredients for them to be able to work with … we have many more brands that we would love to introduce to the Kingdom.”
The dinner at Julien paired dishes with drinks made using Tanqueray 0.0, Captain Morgan 0.0, and Guinness 0.0, offering a glimpse into the range of styles Diageo is bringing to the market.
Flavor profiles ranged from light and refreshing combinations with cucumber and capers brine to richer, malt-forward blends, each designed to complement the accompanying dishes, from ravioli to black cod.
Rees emphasized that pairing food with thoughtfully crafted beverages is becoming an essential part of the hospitality experience.
“In the Kingdom, we’re looking at giving people the experience that currently is not available to them because I know for sure that the kind of quality and expertise and craftsmanship that can go into creating some of these drinks is absolutely as exciting as the work that the chefs would do with their food,” he said.
Anthony Abou Haider, head of Gulf at Diageo, said the company sees long-term potential in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector.
“It’s such an opportunity to be a part of this transformation journey,” he told Arab News. “We’re not looking for a short-term gain, we’re looking at a very long-term gain here because whatever we do now is building for the future.”
